Sorting apparatus



W. F. I ODDING SORTING APPARATUS Filed Deo. 24, 1957 March 6, 1962 m Q'HHHHHHHIIHH .HHHHIIHMIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIUIIHHMHHU tait@ This invention relates to sorting and classifying apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for use in the high speed sorting of liexible strands.

The invention is described hereinafter in connection with a specific embodiment thereof for use in apparatus for the high speed gauging and classifying of successive lengths of string-like articles or strands constituting an intermediate product in the manufacture of surgical sutures and ligatures. More specifically, there is a stage in the manufacture of such sutures at which it is desirable to ascertain the minimum diameter of each individual strand of the material, which commonly are in standard lengths of live feet each, with this measurement being in ne graduations of the order of a few thousandths of an inch, and to sort the measured strands according to categories difering by such ne graduations in preparation for further furnishing operations, An example of apparatus of this character is found in Schwartz Patent No. 2,791,329, issued May 7, 1957 to the same assignee as this application.

In apparatus of the above type to which this invention is applicable, the successive strands are conveyed in `a continuous operation through a gauging station and then to a sorting station from which they are redirected to a multiple-category collecting station. The gauging station incorporates equipment for detecting the minimum diameter of each strand and forwarding this information to the sorting station in time to control the sorting station in such manner that each strand is redirected to its proper category in the collecting station as determined by the gauging station. The present invention is especially related to apparatus for use in the sorting station of such a system.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide sorting apparatus as outlined above which is capable of receiving successive strands of flexible material and of redirecting each strand along a proper selected source in accordance with information provided to the sorting apparatus during the passage of the strand thereto.

An additional object of the invention is to provide such sorting apparatus which is rapid and accurate in its operation while at the same time requiring a minimum of moving parts and offering minimum likelihood of frictional damage to the material being sorted.

Another object is to provide sorting apparatus as outlined above which is simple and economical to construct and maintain, and particularly which offers minimum opportunity for a strand to be caught therein with the resultant possibility of jamming.

It is a particular object ofthe invention to provide sorting apparatus as outlined above wherein the control over each successive strand is effected entirely by means of air jets which convey the strand to the apparatus and also direct it along the properly selected course from the apparatus.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

In the drawing- FIG. 1 is a View showing in side elevation sorting apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention and including a diagrammatic showing of the other stations which combine therewith to make up a complete gauging and classifying system;

Patented Mar. 6, 1962 FIG. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section on the line 3 3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragment of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, the individual strands S are initially introduced in succession to the gauging station, which is indicated generally at 10 as of the character disclosed in the copending application of Valentine et al., Serial No. 705,008, led of even date herewith and assigned to the same assignee as this application. As each strand passes through the station 10, its diameter is continuously measured in terms of the extent in which it displaces the sensing member provided by the movable gauging wheel l1 with respect to its complementary gauging wheel 12 which rotates on a fixed axis. The movements of the gauging wheel 11 are detected and temporarily recorded by a differential transformer 13 in combination with the control circuits indicated generally at 15, and which are described in detail in the above Valentine et al. application. For the purposes of the present invention, the mechanism constituting the gaging station 10 could also be of the structure and mode of the operation disclosed in the above Schwartz patent.

The sorting apparatus of the invention includes a main housing Ztl having extending therethrough a main unobstructed passage 22 for receiving the successive strands from the gauging station l0. The strands are conveyed to the passage 22 by way of a conveyor tube 23 extending from the block 24 at the gauging station which is provided with a continuous supply of pressure air at 2S. The passage 22 continues from end to end of the housing 2th and is connected at its opposite end with a conveyor tube 30. In addition, a plurality of branch passages 31- 34 have continuously unobstructed connections with, and lead obliquely downwardly from the main passage 22, and each is connected at its outer end with a conveyor tube 35-38 respectively. As indicated by the break in FIG. 1, the housing 20 may be of any appropriate length in accordance with the number of branch passages desired therein.

Each of the tubes 35-38 leads to a different receiving chamber or compartment in the collecting station indicated diagrammatically at 4t), and which for the purposes of this disclosure may be of the construction shown in the above Schwartz patent. The operation of the sorting apparatus of the invention is to receive the successive strands at the entry end of the passage 22 and to direct each strand down a selected one of the branch passages 311-34 in accordance with the information received from the control circuits 15. The tube 30 forms a passage to a reject category or compartment in the collecting station, also in accordance with the operation of the gauging station and its associated control circuits.

Referring in more detail to FlGS. l-3, the housing 2li is essentially a rectangular plate of metal having the passage 22 milled in one surface thereof, and with the passage conveniently of rectangular section as shown in FIG. 2. The passage 22 is enclosed on its front side by a plate 44 which is bolted to the plate 22 and is preferably of glass or a transparent plastic to permit ready observation of the passage of the successive strands through the unit. Additional metal bars 45, 46, 47 and 48 are secured to the plate 20 along the top, bottom and both ends thereof as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The several branch passages 3ft- 34 are also milled in the same surface of the plate 20 as the passage 22 and diverge from the passage 22 at angles of about 35 They connect at their lower ends with suitable bores in the bar 46 which may be tapped to receive the connecting members 50 for the tubes 35-38, and the conveyor tubes 23 and 30 are similarly connected with opposite ends of the passage 2,2 by connecting members 50 and the bars 47 and 48. There is an additional oblique passage 51-54 which extends upwardly in line with each of the passages 31-34 on the opposite side of the main passage 22.

The passages 51--54 form air supply passages, and means are provided in accordance with the invention for connecting a selected one thereof with a continuous source of air pressure in such timed relation with the entry of each strand to the main passage 22 that the leading end of the strand is directed down the correspondingly selected branch passage. The air supply means is incorporated in a unit mounted at the back of the housing plate 20 and comprising an extended block 60 having a plate 61 bolted to the underside thereof in conjunction with a sealing gasket 62. A relatively wide slot 65 extends over most of the length of the upper surface of the plate 61 and forms a supply header for air pressure having a connection at 66 to an air supply source (not shown), which may be the same as for the line ZS at the gauging station.

A plurality of solenoid air valves are mounted in the block 60, there being one valve assembly 71--74 for each branch passage 31-34, and the valve assembly 72 is shown in detail in FIG. 2. It includes a coil 75 and cooperating plunger 77, and in the deenergized condition of the coil 75, the lower end of the plunger 77 is biased by the spring 7 8 into seating relation with the upper end of a nozzle 80 which leads upwardly from the header 65 to the valve chamber 82 in the block 60. A bore 83 leads from this chamber 82 to a matching bore 84 in the bar 45, and an oblique bore S in the underside of bar 45 connects the bore 84 with the upper end of the passage S2. The bore 84 is shown as a through bore for convenience of manufacture, and its outer end is therefore provided with a plug 88. This structure is duplicated for each of passages 51-54, as indicated by the additional plugs 88 in FIG. 1.

As already noted, there is a solenoid air valve for each of the branch passages 31-34, but there is no valve corresponding to the conveyor tube 3Q. FIG. 2 shows the operating connections 90 for the coil 75 leading to a multiple conductor unit 91 to which the leads 92 from the control circuits and the other valves are also connected. A removable cover plate 93 provides access to these connections, as indicated by the threaded knob 94, and the block 60 is also provided with a top cover plate 95 enclosing the electrical parts.

ln operation, the control circuits 1S cooperate with the gauging mechanism to energize one of the air valves 71- 74 just before the leading end of each strand enters the passage Z2, with the selection of the particular valve being determined by the minimum and/or maximum diameter noted by the gauging mechanism as the strand passed therethrough. The result of this operation is shown in FIG. 4. lf the valve 71 is energized, an air jet will blow down the passage 51 into the branch passage 31, and the leading end of the strand will be directed down the passage 31 as indicated at S. The valve 71 will remain energized for a short interval of sufiicient duration to assure continuation of the air jet until the strand has been conveyed completely through the passage 31 to the tube 35, and then the valve will be deenergized in preparation for the next strand, as explained in the above Valentine et al. application. Such prolonged operation of the valve may also be obtained as explained in connection with the solenoids A3, B3 and C3 in the above Schwartz patent.

If in FIG. 4 a valve other than valve 71 is energized, the strand will follow the course indicated at S and pass further along the passage 22. In this connection, FIG. 4 shows that the bottom wall of passage 22 includes a short portion 10i? immediately upstream of the branch passage 31 which is inclined downwardly in the same direction as the passage 31 but at a smaller angle to the horizontal, shown as about 10. lOn the opposite or downstream side of the branch passage, however, the lower wall of passage Z2 includes a portion 1631 which is inclined downwardly in the opposite direction from the passage 31, at an angle shown as about 6, and it intersects with the passage 31 at a lower level than the wall portion tilt).

This arrangement of inclined lower wall portions is duplicated at each of the branch passages Srl- 34, and it provides additional guiding action on the individual strands. Thus the wall portion guides the leading end of a strand towards the branch passage 31 for entry thereto if the valve 71 is energized. lf, however, the valve 71 is not energized, the wall portion 101 Will catch the leading end of the strand if i-t has sagged towards the passage 31 and will deflect it back Ito the main passage 22 to prevent it from entering a non-selected branch passage.

This invention accordingly provides sorting apparatus for flexible strands which is of outstanding simplicity of construction while at the same time being capable of accurate operation under high speed conditions, such for example Vas the sorting of 4000 individual 5foot strands per hour. Furthermore, since the only moving parts are the plungers of the solenoid valves, maintenance and wear of the lapparatus is reduced to a minimum. Another advantage of this minimum of moving parts is that it enables the several passages through the apparatus to be designed for maximum ease of movement of the successive strands, with minimum likelihood of jamming or otherwise causing frictioual damage to the strands.

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Apparatus for sorting liexible strands according to -a specific property thereof, comprising means dening an extended unobstructed main passage for receiving successive said strands, means forming a plurality of branch passages having continuously unobstructed connections with and projecting obliquely from said main passage, means for causing successive said strands to enter said main passage longitudinally, and means for effecting discharge of a jet of air across said main passage and into a selected one of said branch passages in timed relation with the entry of each said strand to said main passage to deect the leading end of said strand into said selected branch passage.

2. Apparatus for sorting flexible strands according to a specic property thereof, comprising means defining an enclosed extended unobstructed main passage for receiving successive said strands, means forming a plurality of branch passages having continuously unobstructed connections with and projecting obliquely from said main passage, means for establishing a main ilow of air to said main passage for conveying successive said strands therethrough, and means for effecting discharge of a jet of air across said main passage and into a selected one of said branch passages in timed relation with the entry of each said strand to said main passage to deflect the leading end of said strand into said selected branch passage and to assist said main air ilow to convey said strand through said branch passage.

3. Apparatus for sorting lexible strands according to a specic property thereof, comprising means defining an extended unobstructed main passage for receiving successive said strands, means yforming a plurality of branch passages having continuously unobstructed connections with and projecting obliquely at a small angle of divergence from said main passage, means for causing successive said strands to enter said main passage longitudinally, means defining a plurality of air supply passages each extending in line with one of said branch passages on the opposite side therefrom of said main passage, and means operable in timed relation with the entry of each said strand to said main passage `for connecting a selected said supply passage with a source of pressure `air to cause a jet 0f air to be discharged from said selected supply passage across said main passage into the opposite said branch passage for deecting the leading end of said strand into said branch passage.

4. Apparatus for sorting flexible strands according to a specic property thereof, comprising a housing having therein an enclosed substantially horizontal unobstructed main passage for receiving successive said strands, means for establishing a main ow of air to said main passage for conveying successive said strands therethrough, means forming a plurality of branch passages projecting obliquely downwardly from said main passage at acute angles with the direction of air flow through said main passage and forming continuously unobstructed connections at said main passage, means forming a plurality of air supply passages above said main passage and each aligned with one of said branch passages, and means operable in timed relation with the entry of each said strand to said main passage for connecting a selected said supply passage with a source of pressure air to cause a jet of air to be discharged from said selected supply passage across said main passage into the opposite said branch passage for deflecting the leading end of said strand into said branch passage and of a duration corresponding to the length of one such strand for augmenting the air from said main passage to assure continued movement of said strand through said selected branch passage.

5. Apparatus for sorting eXible strands according to a specific property thereof, comprising a housing having therein an enclosed substantially horizontal main passage for receiving successive said strands, means for establishing a main ow of air to said main passage for conveying successive said strands therethrough, means forming a plurality of branch passages projecting obliquely downwardly from said main passage, means forming a plurality of air supply passages above said main passage and each aligned with one of said branch passages, a supply header in said housing adapted for connection to a supply source of pressure air, means including a separately adjustable valve having open and closed p0- sitions for connecting each said supply passage with said header, and means operable in timed relation with the entry of each said strand to said main passage for opening a selected said valve and holding said valve open for a time corresponding to the passage of a strand to cause a jet of air to be discharged from the associate said supply passage across said main passage into the opposite said branch passage for dellecting the leading end of said strand into said branch passage for urging the length of said strand through said branch passage.

6. Apparatus for sorting flexible strands according to a specific property thereof, comprising a housing having therein an enclosed substantially horizontal main passage for receiving successive said strands, means for establishing a main flow of air to said main passage for conveying successive said strands therethrough, means forming a plurality of branch passages projecting obliquely downwardly from said main passage at acute angles with the direction of air ow through said main passage, means forming a plurality of air supply passages above said main passage and each aligned with one of said branch passages, means operable in timed relation with the entry of each said strand to said main passage for connecting a selected said supply passage with a source of pressure air to cause a jet of air to be discharged from said selected supply passage across said main passage into the opposite said branch passage for deecting the leading end of said suture into said branch passage, and the lower wall of said main passage including a portion on the downstream side of each of said branch passages which is inclined downwardly in the opposite direction from said branch passages and intersects the adjacent branch passage at a lower level than the portion of said lower wall adjacent said branch passage on the upstream Side thereof to prevent the leading end of each of said strands from entering a non-selected branch passage.

7. Apparatus for sorting flexible strands according to a specific property thereof, comprising a housing having therein an enclosed substantially horizontal main passage for receiving successive said strands, means for establishing a main ow of air to said main passage for conveying successive said strands therethrough, means forming a plurality of branch passages projecting obliquely downwardly from said main passage at acute angles with the direction of air flow through said main passage, means forming a plurality of air supply passages above said main passage and each aligned with one of said branch passages, means operable in timed relation with the entry of each said strand to said main passage for connecting a selected said supply passage with a source of pressure air to cause a jet of air to be discharged from said selected supply passage across said main passage into the opposite said branch passage for guiding the leading end of said suture into said branch passage, the lower wall of said main passage including a short portion immediately upstream from each said branch passage which is inclined downwardly in the same direction as said branch passage but at a smaller angle to the horizontal to guide the leading end of each of said strands toward each said branch passage, and the lower Wall of said main passage including a portion on the downstream side of each said branch passage whch is inclined downwardly in the opposite direction from said branch and intersects with the adjacent said branch passage at a lower level than said downwardly inclined wall portion on the upstream side of said branch passage to prevent the leading end of each of said strands from entering a non-selected branch passage.

8. A sorting mechanism for elongated flexible strands comprising la block having `a planar face, a longitudinal `unobstructed groove forming a main passageway cut into said face for the acceptance of said strands, a plurality of diagonal grooves forming branch passageways cut into said face and forming continuously unobstructed connections at said main passageway `at an acute angle to the line of movement of said strands in said main passageway, air discharge means including air discharge passagevvays formed in said face at the junction of said main and branch passageways for selectively dellecting the leading end of said flexible strands into particular ones of said branch passagmvays according to a preselected program, and a cover plate fitted over said face in sealing relation thereto providing for the closure of said passageways.

9. A sort-ing mechanism for elongated flexible strands comprising an elongated lblock having a planar face, a longitudinal unobstructed groove forming a main passageway cut into said face for the acceptance of said strands, a plurality of diagonal grooves forming branch passageways cut into said face and forming continuously unobstructed connections at said main passageway at an acute angle to the line of movement of said strands in said main passageway, air discharge means including air discharge passageways formed in said face at the junction of said main and branch passageways for selectively deflecting the leading end of said flexible strands yinto particular ones of said vbranch passageways according to a preselected program, and a transparent cover plate fitted over said face in sealing relation thereto providing a closure for the open side of said passageways.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,883,844 Needham Oct. 18, 1932 2,138,645 Rey Nov. 29, 1938 2,696,297 Matthews Dec'. 7, 1954 2,791,329 Schwartz May 7, 1957 2,858,018 Alexander Oct. 28, 1958 2,889,856 Magnuson June 9, 1959 

